Ortha Gay Conner Hundley, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 16, 2025, in the hospital after a short illness. She was 99 years old and lived in Keller, Texas, with her daughter, Diane Kelt.
Ortha Gay was born on March 1, 1926, in Floyd, Virginia. She worked for 10 years at the Yale and Towne Lock Plant in Salem, Virginia, and also devoted herself to caring for her family as a stay-at-home wife and mother. A lifelong member of Little Hope Primitive Baptist Church, she was known for her deep faith and generous spirit. She was also an avid gardener, lovingly tending to the flowers that brought beauty to her home.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 57 years, Howard Hundley; her parents, Elder Joseph Otie Conner and Mary Lucinda Sowers Conner; and her siblings, Dorothy Holley, Juanita Semones, and W.T. Conner.
She is survived by her daughters, Diane Kelt and Brenda Hundley; and by three grandsons, Jacob Kelt, Joshua Kelt, and Jonah Kelt (Rayanna). She is also survived by her siblings, Elder Junior Conner (Nancy) and Opaldeen Conner (Donald).
A celebration of Ortha Gay’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at the John M. Oakey and Son Funeral Home in Salem, Virginia. Interment will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem. Friends may visit with the family from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of the service at the funeral home.
Ortha Gay’s family and friends will always remember her sweet smile, joyful spirit, and warm hugs. Her kindness made everyone she encountered feel special. One of her favorite sayings was, “I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck.” She will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to know her.
Online condolences may be expressed by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.
In lieu of Flowers please make charitable contributions to St. Jude Children’s Hospital at www.stjude.org.
